Accessible paratransit for community members

10/10/2024

The Public Works Unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is proud to announce the addition of a new handicapped accessible bus, generously donated by Connecting Horizons. This bus will enhance the ability to provide vital transportation services to community members needing mobility accommodation. The bus is a 2021 Ford Girardin and can accommodate up to 16 seated passengers and three wheelchairs with door-to-door service.

The bus, affectionately named "Eileen," was formerly operated by Connecting Horizons, however, it was donated to the Daily Transportation Department of the MCK so that it could continue its original goal of servicing community members with special needs.

"The bus will allow individuals to get out and go shopping, things that are often taken for granted," said Spencer McComber, Daily Transportation Manager. "Connecting Horizons faced challenges in maintaining qualified drivers and have transitioned to a different service model," McComber continued.

Most recently, the bus transported the Little Critters summer camp and inpatients from the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) outside KMHC′s daily bus hours.

The bus can be rented for field trips at a cost of $35, plus $0.80 per kilometer traveled. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, during normal hours, as well as weekends and after hours when a qualified driver is available. The Daily Transportation Department will do its best to accommodate open requests from the community to reserve the bus, with priority given to our youth and special needs community.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Connecting Horizons for their generous donation and to Iris Phillips who facilitated the transfer.

Community members seeking to utilize the bus can contact Spencer McComber, Daily Transportation Coordinator at 450-632-5825, or by email at spencer.mccomber@mck.ca.